Bell Work Get out your Frederick Douglas questions Page , 1-3 This Day in History: March 17, 461- Saint Patrick, Christian missionary, bishop and apostle of Ireland, dies at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland. March 17, In New York City, the first parade honoring the Catholic feast day of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is held by Irish soldiers serving in the British army. March 17, British forces are forced to evacuate Boston following General George Washington’s successful placement of fortifications and cannons on Dorchester Heights. March 17, Future president Franklin Delano Roosevelt weds his fifth cousin once removed, Eleanor Roosevelt.

Politics of the 1850s Dred Scott Lincoln-Douglas Debates

Elections of 1856 Some Whigs, Democrats, Free-Soilers, and abolitionists joined in 1854 to form the Republican Party. United against spread of slavery in the West. Democrats were in trouble. Those who supported the Kansas- Nebraska debate were not re-elected. Nominated James Buchanan, Polk's secretary of state, who had not been involved in Kansas-Nebraska debate. Buchanan was elected by winning 14 of 15 slave states.

Dred Scott v. Sanford Dred Scott was slave of Missouri physician. Had been taken to free territory by owner. Sued for freedom in 1846 after owner died, arguing he had become free when he lived in free territory. Case reached Supreme Court in Chief Justice Roger B. Taney wrote majority opinion. Ruled that African Americans, whether free or slave, were not citizens and had no right to sue in federal court; also ruled Missouri Compromise restriction on slavery was unconstitutional.

Lincoln-Douglas Debates What important issues did Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas debate? What impact would the debates on the future of the Democratic and Republican parties have? What did Lincoln have to do in order to keep Republicans from supporting Stephen Douglas? Explain the warnings Lincoln gave about the expansion of slavery. What influenced Douglas’ ideas and how did he view the slavery question? What was the outcome and the importance of the Lincoln-Douglas Debates?

A House Divided Speech What policy is Lincoln referring to when he says we are in the fifth year of a policy that was meant to put an end to slavery agitation? How does he view that policy? What does Lincoln mean by the phrase, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” What does Lincoln say about the Dred Scott case? What are the three points of the case? How does Lincoln feel about the Dred Scott decision? Why? What are Lincoln’s views on Stephen Douglas?